The Relay

I’m reading a really good book right now called The Relay. It was actually written by a friend of mine who is in ministry and is a member at Briarwood. The idea behind the book is that the Christian life is not an individual event like a sprint or a marathon, but a relay.

“A relay is a fitting analogy for God’s Kingdom because we are all part of a succession of runners passing a single baton over time from generation to generation.

The key to a successful relay is in the passing of the baton. There have been many very talented teams that have fumbled the exchange and that takes them out of the race. A dropped baton earns a DNF - Did Not Finish.

In the Christian life the “baton” is the Gospel - God’s truths. As believers, we don’t just pass the baton when we leave this earth, we continually pass it in word and deed as we live our lives. God’s Word wasn’t meant to be passed to us and stockpile. It was meant for movement - to be passed on to others.

The elements of the exchange of the baton are very simple - the “give” from one runner and the “take” by another runner. If the give and the take are done well, you have a successful exchange. No DNF!

There is a great lesson for us in “the give and the take.” Our walks with the Lord need to involve both. It can’t be all give or all take. In order to give we must be taking in God’s truths on a regular basis in worship and community. Conversely, after we take, we must be ready to continually give since the baton is not meant to be hoarded. Giving in word and deed is a reflection of the right intake.

Writing this blog each week is a way for me to pass the baton of truth on the each of you. Someone else has given it to me and I want to share it. To whom are you passing the baton? God is placing people in your lives that will give you the opportunity to do so. Make sure that you are taking in His Word and truths so that you will be ready for the exchange.

Stay hungry,

Big E